Too little concern for our lost creatures

After reading the article about the Franklin County animal shelter fire, I have to say this situation reinforces the need for caretakers on the property of all shelters after hours. Some Illinois shelters already have them. Late-night shelter fires are a common occurrence, and the animals deserve proper consideration.

Another article dealt with euthanization of Illinois shelter animals. To save some doomed animals, many are shuttled to suburban Chicago no-kill facilities. What bothers me, according this article, is that the no-kills still want healthy and good-natured animals.

A true no-kill shelter handles the sick and unadoptable whether they arrive in those conditions or develop them later. The sick ones receive the necessary vet care no matter the expense and time required. If they prove to be unadoptable, they are housed for the rest of their lives while receiving proper vet care and exercise.

Unless someone works in a particular shelter and closely monitors what is happening to the animals, they do not really know if the shelter is operating as a true no-kill. Unfortunately, some shelters use the term no-kill to gather donations, but behind the scenes they are euthanizing healthy and unhealthy animals alike.

The bottom line is no one much cares what truly happens to these animals. They are dropped by roadsides, dropped off at shelters, abandoned at vets and boarding kennels, etc. This is a truly sad commentary on our society.

Someone once said, "Kindness to animals is the hallmark of human achievement." And another said, "A society can be judged by the way it treats its animals."

In other words, people should not be selectively compassionate to living creatures.

Susan Hess

Elgin